great minds, as they say,

Interesting fact: My name in real life is Cid.

I agree with this statement almost completely, if it wasn't for Tidus! (I'll just replace that with um Cecil)

The series for better or for worse still has me playing each game. That has got to amount for something since I am pessimistic a**hole.

Edit: Top 5

Final Fantasy IX

Final Fantasy VI

Final Fantasy IV

Final Fantasy V

Final Fantasy Tactics (if not Tactics possibly 8 or 13.)

I think what makes Final Fantasy so great and keep going where many other franchises have failed is that each one is a completely seperate adventure with new characters, new story and new world to explore. They each try to do things slightly differently and breathe fresh air into the JRPG genre (for better or worse). They'll change the battle system, the levelling system, the mythos with every iteration and this keeps people going back.

Even if you hated one of the Final Fantasy games, if you've enjoyed at least one Final Fantasy game, chances are you'll find another Final Fantasy game that you can enjoy. Final Fantasy peaked a while back for me (6 & 7), but what keeps me buying and playing them is the knowledge that each one is different and that they may suddenly hit the right formula for me personally. With such a large and critical fanbase it's very difficult to perfect the game 100% for everyone, but they do a fairly good job of it.

Not neccessarily my faves but worth mentioning for one reason or another:

FFVII: Love the cyber-punk world and story. The first 3-4 hrs in Midgar being a story intense but streamlined experience really helps to get into the story.
FFVI- Great story, some classic characters with some very memorable moments.
FFX: Nice story, beautiful game
FFXII: Lots of potential in the story, freedom and a cool battle system
FXIII: Again, great battle system.
FFV: Job system was brilliant and evolved nicely from past games.
FFVIII: Tried something new and innovative with the Junctioning system.

cough *pedo* cough

I've always loved how Final Fantasy reinvents itself with every new version yet still finds a way tie itself to the series. I think that is why the series has remained popular over the years.

1. FFVI
2. FFVII
3. FFX
4. FFIX
5. FFVIII

wow a lot of people putting FFIX in their top 5. The game was absolutely phenomenal, and I'm happy to see it's such a fan favorite.

My top 5
FF6
FF4
FF7
FF3
FF 9

I have probably played ff 4,6 way to many times in my lifetime. FF4 was one hell of way to get introduced into the FF series. At the time it blew my mind away. The story Golbez/Cecil and so many things happening. It was a good package. FF6 just built upon what ff4 had created for me. The number of people to use was awesome! I mean come on you could play as MOG!!!!!!! Not to mention a Yeti Umario=0 lol I really loved the Espers and the storyline. Terra if you can even really pick a main hero was extremly interesting to watch and make unfold the events of her becoming an Esper herself. Trying to learn all of Gau's abilites was great

FF7 was not really what I expected when I got it, but it was epic. It is what made me get my PS 1. FF9 made up for FF8 for me. I dunno what happened to them after 9. I suppose I just did not like the way the games had started to head. But to me 9 was a decent send off of the style I liked.

FF3 It was my first time in the series using the class system. I had not played ff1 at this time. I found it to be extremly fun because of this. Confusing at times, but fun.

Yet you don't have it in your top 5. 

Oh - one more thing that made FF into FF:

References and legacy.

Like the fanfare, crystal theme, summons, "FF theme", Cid, Chocobos, all of these things that the moment you hear them you feel a tingle of nostalgia inside you (like I had when I saw the "Lindblum" in 13).